Go! And Walk Through the Waters With Confidence - Isaiah 43:2
INTRODUCTION — A PROMISE FOR THE FIRES AND FLOODS OF LIFE
Some Scriptures whisper comfort. Some speak softly of God’s love. But then there are verses like Isaiah 43:2 that thunder hope into the soul like a divine rescue flare fired across the night sky.
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT):
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.”
This is not a promise that we might need one day. It is a promise for right now.
This is not poetry meant to decorate a Christian fridge magnet.
This is oxygen for suffocating hearts.
Because every person in this room either has been, is now, or soon will be
walking through waters, rivers, or fire.
The question God confronts us with today is simple:
“Will you walk through them alone—or with Me?”
Today in our Go! And… series, the call is this:
Go! And Walk Through the Waters With Confidence.
Confidence not in yourself—but in the God who saves, sustains, and stays.
1. GOD’S PRESENCE IN OUR DEEPEST WATERS
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.”
The Hebrew phrase “deep waters” comes from ????? ??????? (mayim rabbim), meaning overwhelming waters, the kind that can sweep a person away. In the ancient Near East, deep waters symbolised chaos, danger, and forces beyond human control.
This is God saying: “When life goes beyond your ability to handle, I will go beyond your understanding to help.”
Isaiah wrote to a people who had failed, wandered, sinned, and would soon face exile. Their suffering was partly self-inflicted. But God declares He has not abandoned them.
This shows us a critical theological truth:
God’s presence is not cancelled by our failure.
Grace does not evaporate when we stumble.
Psalm 23:4 (NLT): “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”
David does not rejoice because the valley is pleasant—but because the Shepherd is present.
Max Lucado: “You’ll never be alone—God is with you wherever you go.”
Lucado isn’t offering sentiment—he is declaring Scripture-saturated certainty. The presence of God is the cornerstone of Christian endurance.
Practical Application
hen the diagnosis arrives…
When the marriage cracks…
When the financial strain overwhelms…
When anxiety steals your breath…
God does not shout from the shore, “Swim harder!” He steps into the waters and says, “I’m here.”
2. GOD’S POWER IN OUR RIVERS OF DIFFICULTY
“When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.”
The verb “to drown”—???????????? (tishatfu)—means to be swept away, overwhelmed, or overpowered.
God promises prevention, not exemption.
Exodus 14:21–22 (NLT): "Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!"
Israel faced the Red Sea with no human escape route.
“The Lord opened up a path through the water.”
The same God who parts seas also guides steps.
He is not limited by natural law, human wisdom, or spiritual resistance.
John Piper: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, especially in suffering.”
Piper reminds us that faith shines brightest when waters rise highest. When we trust God while the river rages, we declare to the world: “My God is greater than my circumstances.”
The Boy in the Flood
A little boy stood trapped on a roof during a flood. Rescuers shouted,
“Jump! We’ll catch you!”
He cried back,
“I can’t see you!”
The rescuers answered,
“But we can see you!”
You may not always see God’s hand…
But He always sees you.
And His grip never fails.
What “river” threatens to sweep you away today?
Fear?
Depression?
Grief?
Temptation?
God does not say the river will disappear.
He says you will not be carried away.
3. GOD’S PROTECTION IN OUR FIERY TRIALS
“When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up.”
The phrase “fire of oppression” uses the Hebrew ???? (esh), fire that purifies or destroys. God promises purification, not destruction.
Daniel 3:24–25 (NLT): "Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
The three Hebrew men walked into the furnace—but were not alone.
A fourth figure stood with them, one who looked “like a son of the gods.”
This was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.
Jesus does not watch the fire—He walks into it with His people.
Charles Stanley: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Stanley captures the fiery truth of discipleship:
When we obey Christ, the heat may rise, but so will His protection.
Refining Gold
A goldsmith was once asked,
“How do you know when the gold is pure?”
He answered,
“When I can see my reflection in it.”
God allows refining fires so that the reflection of Christ becomes visible in us.
Why does God allow fiery trials today?
So that the Church of Jesus Christ would shine brighter in a dark world.
So that faith becomes real, not theoretical.
So that trust becomes deep, not shallow.
So that Jesus becomes precious, not optional.
4. GOD’S GOSPEL DELIVERANCE — JESUS WITH US IN THE ULTIMATE WATERS
Isaiah 43:2 ultimately points to the greatest rescue in history:
the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Because on the cross, Jesus went through the ultimate waters.
He faced
• the flood of God’s wrath
• the river of divine justice
• the fire of judgment for our sin
Why?
So that you and I never have to face those waters alone.
The Gospel:
Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God,
died on the cross as our substitute,
was buried,
and rose again on the third day in power,
conquering sin, death, and hell.
This Gospel is not advice.
It is not inspiration.
It is salvation.
5. CALL TO ACTION — GO! AND WALK THROUGH THE WATERS WITH JESUS
Believers:
Do not fear the waters.
Do not fear the rivers.
Do not fear the fire.
Fear only walking through them without Jesus.
Three applications:
Trust His Presence — He is with you.
Trust His Power — He will not let you drown.
Trust His Purpose — He will refine you, not destroy you.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
If you do not personally know Jesus Christ…
If you are drowning in guilt…
If the fires of life have scorched your soul…
If sin feels like a weight you cannot shed…
Today, the Rescuer stands ready.
Jesus Christ says, “Come to me.”
Turn from your sin.
Repent of living life your own way.
Place your trust in Jesus—
not merely as a good teacher,
not merely as an inspirational figure,
but as your Saviour, your Lord, your King.
Call out to Him and He will save you.
For the One who conquered death is mighty to save your soul today.
BENEDICTION / EXHORTATION:
May the Lord who walks with you in deep waters,
guide you through every river of difficulty,
protect you in every fiery trial,
fill you with courage,
and strengthen you to walk boldly with Christ this week.
Go! And walk through the waters with confidence—because your God goes with you.
